Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad shines at World Endurance Championship

Samorin, Sep. 17 (BNA): In a superb achievement, HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, representative of His Majesty the King for Charity Works and Youth Affairs, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, President of Bahrain Olympic Committee, the Bahrain Royal Endurance Team Captain, achieved third place in the World Endurance Championships in Slovakia. This accomplishment is HH’s personal best on the international level, as HH also topped the Arab competitors list. HH finished behind the Spanish duo of Jaume Punti and Alex Luque who came first and second respectively in the event which saw more than 140 international jockeys from both genders in the fray. Enroute to this incredible achievement, HH Shaikh Nasser completed the 140m race in 07:40:49, followed by compatriot Raed Mahmood who claimed fourth place. HH Shaikh Nasser was less than two minutes behind the Spaniards, as Punti clocked in07:38:47, while Luque finished the race in 07:38:51. A gift from HM the King HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of Bahrain, gifted HH Shaikh Nasser a Bahraini sword as a token of appreciation for this enormous achievement. And for his part, HH Shaikh Nasser expressed his pride for the presence of HM the King in the race and the follow-up of HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the First Deputy President of The Supreme Council for Youth & Sport, the President of Bahrain Athletics Association of the race, pointing to HM the King’s constant keenness to attend such events and support the Bahraini jockeys. HH Shaikh Nasser explained that this achievement was possible thanks to the support of HM the King, stating that HM the King’s presence in the race hugely impacted the performance of the Bahrain Royal Endurance Team’s jockeys during the race. Third Place.. Thanks to proper planning HH Shaikh Nasser stressed that this achievement also came thanks to proper planning started two years ago via the designing of strategic plans for the horses and then choosing the best from them to participate in events, pointing to the huge efforts put in by the Bahrain Royal Endurance Team’s jockeys and technical staff to reach top places. HH Shaikh Nasser stressed that there were many factors that contributed to make this race as a very tough one, including the participation of the world’s elite jockeys. “The Bahrain Royal Endurance Team will continue achieving great results in international events, and we are going to carry this momentum forward to the next events. Our spirit is high to bag more glories in order to highlight the prosperous era of His Majesty the King, may God protect him, as well as to confirm our status among the world’s best in the endurance sport,” HH Shaikh Nasser noted, praising the enormous efforts showcased by fellow jockeys during the race. “The Bahrain Royal Endurance Team’s jockeys are a real wealth to this sport in the Kingdom of Bahrain as they give us the right to be optimistic for the future of this sport in our beloved country,” HH Shaikh Nasser underlined. Nasser bin Hamad: Emirates’ jockey displayed great performances HH Shaikh Nasser was also full praise for the jockeys of UAE led by HH Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, who took part in the event in the presence of HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Ruler of Dubai. HH Shaikh Nasser said that competing with the UAE’s jockey in the top places until the last stage of the race confirms the great performances showcased by them.